Laxative or Candy? Labels should give stronger clue

I was walking through our office the other day, and saw some individually wrapped York peppermint patties in a bowl. I love these things, so I picked up a couple. However, on my way back to my desk, one of my co-workers said, "Watch out! I ate a few of those yesterday, and I was in the bathroom half the night."

That prompted me to take a closer look, and it turned out that there is a banner proclaiming “Sugar Free” across the front of the package. The ingredient statement on the back includes lactitol, maltitol and sorbitol, all three of which, according to Wikipedia, are sugar substitutes that can have a laxative effect. Hershey recognizes this, because, beneath the ingredient statement is the statement, “INDIVIDUALS SENSITIVE TO SUGAR SUBSTITUTES MAY EXPERIENCE A LAXATIVE EFFECT.”

I spend two hours commuting, so I was very glad that my co-worker warned me. It would not be pleasant to be on a bus or el, or in your car on the expressway, when the laxative effect kicked in. Luckily, I avoided that, but it seems to me that it would be nice if they would put the warning on the front of the front of the package, where there is at least some chance that you would see it.

Anyway, if you eat any of these, my suggestion is to stay close to a toilet until you see how they affect you.

“I am going to St. Petersburg, Florida, tomorrow. Let the worthy citizens of Chicago get their liquor the best they can. I’m sick of the job — it’s a thankless one and full of grief. I’ve been spending the best years of my life as a public benefactor.”

- Al Capone

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